PATRICIA LILLIAN STAIB

Patty passed into the arms of Jesus on Sunday, July 3, 2011, at the home of her caregivers, sister and brother-in-law, Christie and Jim Bradley of Newport News.

She had been living with them since February, after being diagnosed with acute leukemia. Patty had been in remission from non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma for over two years.

Patty was a joy to all who knew her. She had many friends in Mathews, Gloucester, Middlesex, Newport News, Hampton, Zuni and so many other places.

She was born on March 14, 1953 in South Jamesport, N.Y., to the late Capt. Ed and Marie Staib of Cobbs Creek, Mathews County. She was also predeceased by her brother, Eddie Staib; her sister, Marilee Caro, and her nephew, T.J. Staib.

She is survived by her sisters, Judy Harrison of Calverton, N.Y., Betty Minter and Christie Bradley (Jim) of Newport News, Virginia Castelow (Andy) of York County, and a brother, Tommy Staib (Barbara) of Middlesex County. She is also survived by an aunt, Billie Friszolowski of Riverhead, N.Y., and her godparents, Mary and Gus Formhals of Cumberland, Md. She also has many loved nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Patty grew up a devout Catholic going to St. Therese in Gloucester, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Newport News and Immaculate Conception in Hampton, where she had been a communicant and helped with Young at Heart. Two years ago, she moved from Zuni Presbyterian Homes to Heart Havens now Morrison House in Newport News. She chose to join Morrison United Methodist Church next door. She was a member of the adult discussion group, Sunday school class and Feed My Sheep group there.

Patty was an active young lady. She worked at the Peninsula ARC. She had been a member of the Theresians Society, the Mathews Volunteer Fire Dept. Auxiliary, Mt. Carmel’s St. Claire’s Guild, and the Morrison Methodist senior fellowship club. She had also been an active member of the Explorer Troop 140.

For the past three years, she participated with Light the Night to help raise funds for lymphoma and leukemia. Just last month she was able to be pushed around the track in a wheelchair for the survivor lap at Relay for Life.

Her activities she enjoyed were NASCAR and other sports, bowling, yard sales, word search, jigsaw puzzles, thrift stores, trips to any place whether it be by plane, train or automobile; music of any kind, and playing dominoes with family and friends. Oh, and let’s not forget television, especially the court shows! Patty loved everyone, especially children, and her hugs to all will never be forgotten.

We wish to thank Dr. Booth, Mariam and staff of VOA, Ramie, Martha and Pastor David Lekarczyk with Heartland Hospice and Dorothy and Rita with Stay at Home Healthcare.

A memorial service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 7, 2011, at Morrison United Methodist Church, 236 Harpersville Road, Newport News. The family will receive friends at the church from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial will be in H.C. Smither Memorial Cemetery in Mathews. Please feel free to dress casually and wear pretty colors.